The body of the late Zambian President Levy Mwanawasacontinues its journey throughout the country's provinces ahead of the Septemberthird state burial. President Mwanawasa died last Tuesday in a Parishospital, where he was being treated for a stroke suffered in June.
Meanwhile,some Zambians are expressing disappointment with the decision of Mwanawasa'swidow to stop Zambia's main opposition leader from attending a funeralgathering for her husband. First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa reportedly orderedMichael Sata to be removed from the funeral procession Monday in the easterncity of Chipata.
Sata and the lateMwanawasa had a longstanding bitter rivalry, but the two had reconciled in May.
Zambian journalist Chibaula Silwamba told VOA some Zambians believe the former first lady's behavior went contrary tothe African tradition of honoring the dead.
"Whathappened is that Monday morning, when the plane carrying the body of the lateZambian president, Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, arrived at the Chipata Airport andthe former first lady was on the same aircraft. When she disembarked and wentto the tent where the other dignitaries were, Mr. Sata kneeled before her togreet her. But she told him she did not want to politicize the funeral. Shetherefore asked him to leave the procession. When Mr. Sata tried to explain whyhe was there, the former first lady interjected and said that she did not wantto talk to him," he said.
Silwambasaid some senior members of Zambia's ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy(MMD) supported Mrs. Mwanawasa's treatment of the opposition leader.
"Infact the national chairman of the governing Movement for Multiparty Democracy(MMD), Mr. Michael Mabenga was there and also demanded that Mr. Sata should beremoved immediately. And he asked the Minister of Science and Technology toensure that he mobilize the police to send Mr. Sata off," Silwamba said.
Hesaid many Zambians believe the former first lady's behaviorwent bit contrary to the African tradition of honoring the dead.
"In the African traditionthat should not be the case because in fact you do not even need an invitationcard to attend a funeral procession. This was a bit awkward," Silwamba said.
Sata and thelate Mwanawasa had a longstanding bitter rivalry, but the two had reconciled inMay. Silwamba said the former first lady even acknowledged the reconciliation,but she said it was between the late president and Sata and not her family.
"The first lady acknowledgedthis but in her statement she even told Mr. Sata that you reconciled withPresident Mwanawasa but you did not reconcile with me and the family, and thefamily does not want your reconciliation," he said.
Silwamba said the formerfirst lady and the opposition leader have also had their own differences.
